On Friday, the Federal Government took the decisive step of immediately shutting down all land borders with the Niger Republic due to the ongoing political turmoil in the neighboring country.
This measure, endorsed by the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCoS), Bashir Adeniyi Adewale, is deemed to be in the best interests of both nations.
Adewale, who personally visited the Jibia Border in Katsina State to oversee the enforcement process, elaborated that the Federal Government has instructed all stakeholders involved in border management to ensure unwavering compliance with the directive. He emphasized that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has been a staunch advocate for economic integration across West Africa, underlining the potential for bilateral trade to uplift not only Nigerians but also the entire sub-region. However, the prevailing instability and insecurity within the Niger Republic have cast a shadow on the feasibility of productive trade relations. In light of this, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with the backing of its Heads of States, has collectively resolved to temporarily suspend and seal off all land borders with the Republic of Niger.
In a coordinated effort to execute this decision, the Nigeria Customs Service has deployed its personnel as part of a joint operations team, entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the closure’s strict implementation across all vulnerable border points. Adewale expressed his contentment with the degree of adherence he witnessed during his visits to various border stations.
Adewale underscored that the Nigeria Customs Service, working collaboratively with other pertinent government bodies, bears the responsibility of ensuring the comprehensive execution of this border closure. He affirmed that the level of compliance sought is absolute in nature, signifying a complete halt on all inbound and outbound shipments to and from Nigeria throughout the duration of the border closure.
